http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...se-surgery-tom-thibodeau-20150227-column.html If Rose had stayed healthy, such as it was with him, and if the Bulls had continued their inconsistent ways, Thibodeau was expected to be launched sometime during the 10-minute cooling-off period after the last playoff game. It might take only one series, maybe two, depending on the matchup. But unless there was an NBA Finals appearance, or maybe no less than a title, Thibodeau was going to blamed for everything --- the injuries, the delayed development of young players, the Bulls’ failure to capture a seventh trophy, climate change, the anti-vaccine movement and letting those llamas out. That was the talk the last month. That was the story that had the momentum during a rough stretch in January. Derivatives of words like “irretrievable’’ were used to describe the coach’s relationship with management. If management wants to run out the coach the way some reports have it, then Rose’s latest surgery will somehow be Thibodeau’s fault, even if we later find out that Rose hurt it on vacation or someplace away from the coach’s whistle. I give Thibodeau credit for trying to get through to management. Thibodeau is all about trying. You can see that in his team. Thing is, the coach must remember that management might not always be right, but it will always be management. The first game after news broke of Rose’s torn meniscus, the Bulls showed mental weakness and physical failures. A bad Rose is better than the healthy alternatives the Bulls were forced to use. Thibodeau chose among the likes of defensive welcome mat Aaron Brooks and rickety Kirk Hinrich playing key roles in the backcourt. He should beg to be fired. But the question will be whether Thibodeau deserves to go after management left him that emergency backcourt and forced a defensive-minded coach to start the turnstile known as Pau Gasol. I mean, the only thing missing from watching Rose and Gasol try to defend pick-and-roll was spontaneous combustion. But now that the roster is worse without Rose, and likely will continue to be inadequate even if Rose comes back, does that earn Thibodeau a bye? Look, the Bulls weren’t winning the title this season. That was becoming more apparent as the games piled up. Further, nobody could win anything big with this roster, not with LeBron James and the Cavaliers figuring it out, not with the Hawks playing like the Spurs, not with the Wizardsstill massive and ready to use Gasol and Joakim Noah for floss. Management is lying to itself if it thinks otherwise. That argues for a good coach being retained as management again tries to improve a roster that desperately needs it. That also argues for getting your money’s worth (my note: profit!). Conveniently, the Bulls owe Rose and Thibodeau for two more seasons each, and Rose isn’t going anywhere. Between a broken-down body and a contract that is breaking the salary cap, Rose is untradeable. ... Or who knows? Thibodeau might be so sick of the dysfunctional setup that seems to empower “people’’ anointed by Rose that he’ll quit.
